By Fr Shekhar Devraj for BIS Mumbai

The Provincial Canonical Visitation of Don Bosco Vyavasaik Prashikshan Kendra (DBVPK), Chinchwad, Pune, was conducted on August 17 and 18, 2026 by Fr Ashley Miranda, Provincial of the Mumbai Province. The visitation was a moment of grace, spiritual renewal, fraternity, and pastoral accompaniment, helping the community to renew its fidelity to the Salesian charism and the mission entrusted to it.

Fr Miranda arrived on August 17 at around 9 a.m., accompanied by Fr Anton, who joined the community for breakfast. The visitation began with an opening conference, during which the Provincial shared important news, developments, and priorities of the Province. He subsequently met the confreres individually, providing an opportunity for personal dialogue, listening, and pastoral accompaniment.

In the afternoon, Fr Miranda visited the Social Work Department along with the Rector and Social Work Coordinators and visited two outreach centres. At 6 p.m., he met the Community Council to discuss important matters concerning the scope of the house, its apostolic mission, and future plans. The day concluded with Holy Mass with the community and hostel boys, followed by a short felicitation programme. The hostel boys expressed their gratitude and appreciation to Fr Provincial, while Fr Bosco composed a special song for the occasion. In his address to the boys, Fr Miranda encouraged them to study well, learn their trades seriously, develop multiple skills, and build their future on a strong foundation of knowledge, skills, and values.

On August 18, Fr Miranda blessed the MMV Workshop and addressed the technical students and staff. He encouraged the students to make responsible and effective use of the facilities provided through the generosity of the institution's CSR partners. He later met the technical staff separately and thanked them for their dedication, support, and contribution to carrying forward the mission of Don Bosco at Chinchwad. He also met the Principal, Mr Nilesh, and visited various sections of the institution along with the Rector.

The visitation concluded with a concluding conference at 3.30 p.m., followed by tea. Overall, the two-day visitation was a significant experience of spiritual renewal, fraternity, encouragement, and deeper commitment. It challenged the community to continually realign its works with the Salesian Preventive System of Reason, Religion, and Loving-Kindness, keeping young people, especially the less privileged, at the centre of our mission. The visitation has strengthened our resolve to move forward together with renewed enthusiasm, responsibility, and hope in the spirit of Don Bosco.